Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-20
KILLED BY MS FRIEND.
The sad Finding of n sunday plea
sure "Trip.

A Savannah (Ga. special says: Frank
NJ. Fonda, superintendent of the main
stem of the Georgia Central railroad.
was shot and instantly killed to-day ON
board the ting William G.. Turner by j.
j. Abrams, a prominent lawyer OF this
city. Superintendent Fonda and party
OF friends, among whom were Abrams,
Police Magistrate NJ. L. Moline, Andrew
Anderson, private secretary to General
Alexander, president OF the Georgia
Central /; Colonel John L. Gaynor,
contractor for the Savannah River and
Harbor-lmprovement Company, and
John II. Griffin, general travelling pas
senger agent of the Chicago and East
ern Illinois railroad, left the city this
morning on the tug for trip 10 Tybee
Beach. On the WY down the river the
tug was oyerhauled by the Government
yacht Angler, going TO tho rescue oil
the United States snag.boat Toccoa,
ashore in Catalogue sound, OF Hilton
Head. The tugs assistance WAS asked,
and both steamers started across tho
sound to HraddOck's Point, where tho
snag.boat lay. The party was in high
spirits, and was laughing and joking
continually on the trip down the river.
While crossing the sound Fonda left
the party in the pilot-housc and went
back to the cabin. Halt an hour later
he returned to them. As he started up
the ladder leading from the deck 10 the
pilot-house he called to Abrams. who
was leaning out Of the window, Jack,
I'm coming"
Abrams lnughed and replied 4" No.
you're not.
"Yes, | am" Fonda said, and
climbed up TO the window
Abrams picked up Winchester rifle
which lay on the seat in the pilot house,
pointed il at Fonda, not knowing that
It WAS loaded, and pulled the trigger.
The weapon was discharged, and Fonda,
who was half way upthe ladder, letgo the
rail 10 which he held aud fell back ON
the deck dead. The rifle, which Abrams
thought WAS not loaded, had been
loaded by Fonda himself soon after the
tug left the city. The ball entered just
under the left eye and pierced ths
brain. Death was instantaneous.
Magistrate Moline was in the pilot
house and saw Abrams pick up the ritie,
but he did not know that il was loaded.
The Angler, which was short distance
away, was hailed. and both tugs headed
about and returned TO the city, reach
ing the wbaryes tonight. None OF the
party was allowed 10 go 10 ashore until
the coroner had been notified. Abrams.
who was Frustrated by the shooting.
was taken to his residence. The coro-
ner could not be found until late. As
soon as be arrived the body was
removed TO Dixon's undertaking-rooms,
jury OF inquest was summoned, and
the examination of witnesses was be-
gun. A verdict Of accidental shooting
was rendered. The dead superintend-
ent was embalmed and will be re-
moved to the Central railroad station
in the morning, whence the remains
will be taken 10 Nashville, Tenn, for
interment. The Solicitor General was
present representing the States into
rests, bnt no arrests were made.
The testimony went to show that
there was no intention on the part OF
Abrams to kill Fonda. Deceased was
a member Of Henderson Commandery.
No. IA, knights Iemplars, OF Hender-
son, Ky. Palestine Commsndery, No.
7, will escort the remains to the station.
Fonda was to have left the city Satur-
day night for the purpose OF bringing
his family to Savannah, but at the ear
nest solicitation OF friends remained
over TO take the fatal trip. He wss
formerly superintendent of the Hen
derson division OF the Louisville and
Nashville railroad, but was appointed
TO the SUPPLEMENTARY of Vie Georgia
Central on April LIST.